Overview

The importance of water to our cities

Water plays a central role in almost every aspect of our urban environment and quality of life in our cities. Alarmingly, the combined impacts of rapid population growth and climate change are now posing a severe threat to the liveability and resilience of our cities.

A new approach to urban design

However, it is possible to design water systems that provide cities with the capacity to cope with these threats. So-called “water sensitive urban design” creates water sensitive cities that enhance and protect the health of watercourses and wetlands; mitigate flood risk and damage; and create public spaces that harvest, clean and recycle water.

This approach poses complex planning and urban design challenges. And it requires solutions that address equally complex and interrelated considerations, such as social, environmental, political, economic, planning and engineering disciplines.

Learn from a team of experts

You’ll hear from leading researchers and thought-leaders in Australia and internationally about key actions in delivering water sensitive cities. You’ll consider and discuss the latest solutions and concepts on urban design and modelling, climate change adaptation, behaviour change, and social and government engagement. Specifically, you’ll consider:

the emerging challenges facing our cities

how water sensitive cities can be the driver for more resilient cities

how water can be managed in our cities to improve their liveability

the potential for stormwater, urban aquatic systems, and green infrastructure to improve the urban climate

how changes in human behaviour and institutions can complement and assist transitions to water sensitive cities.

A practical course

We’ll focus on effective ways to create water sensitive cities as we draw upon case studies from Australia and around the world. We’ll ask you to share examples and insights from wherever in the world you live, and we’ll challenge you to consider how you can help make your urban environment more water sensitive.

5.0Based on
1 reviews

This course is a great introduction to the issues of water and cities. I learned about water sensitive design, stormwater recycling, water management in different cities across the world and more. The course also covers topics such as livability, drought, flood protection, urban heat island effects and cities as a catchment. Very useful to anyone living in a city and wanting to understand about water management, conservation and recycling.